Moving across the Zoo–Field Border: Heini Hediger in Congo

The twentieth century witnessed the rise of zoo biology. Such a discipline might seem anchored in specific spatial setting (that zoological garden), but if historians want to understand its development they should not limit their view confines grounds. After all, understanding animals and behavior at often involved thinking about them other spaces as well. Notably, “artificial” state captivity invited reflection on “natural” condition wild. In order study changing relation between science performed field, this essay conceptualizes “zoo–field border”—arguing that movements across border are crucial practices both sides. particular, analyzes field expedition national parks Belgian Congo set up 1948 by Heini Hediger, Swiss zoologist who is credited pioneer Hediger’s expedition, it argues, conceptual, methodological, logistical border-crossing. combination these forms, then, ultimately enabled rethinking behaviors sides border.